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Ceramic Scalpels

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What Is a Scalpel Used For?

Metal and, more recently, ceramic scalpels are typically associated with surgical use, cutting skin and tissue during surgical procedures. As such, scalpels are made extremely sharp so the surgeon can penetrate the skin with as little pressure as possible.

Due to their blade shape and thin handle profile, though, scalpels are also used in a variety of laboratory, manufacturing, electronics, and crafting applications. In the majority of these cases, the sharpness associated with typical scalpels is excessive and poses an unnecessary laceration risk to the user.

Can I Use Slice Ceramic Scalpels For Surgery?

We don’t recommend it. Unlike standard surgical scalpel blades, Slice ceramic scalpel blades feature a safer edge with our proprietary grind that resists cutting skin. This means that our scalpel blades are not recommended for surgical applications where the blade needs to penetrate skin and tissue with very little pressure.

Our customers use our scalpels instead in electronics, manufacturing, laboratory, or crafting situations where a delicate blade and thin handle are required, but where there’s no intention to cut skin and every intention to protect the user. Our proprietary grind is what sets Slice apart in the advanced ceramic cutting tools industry. It’s the only design that takes advantage of the properties of zirconium oxide to create a safer edge. Learn more about our proprietary grind and how it protects users by reading our FAQ: Why Are Slice Ceramic Blades Safer Than Metal Blades?

How Is a Safety Scalpel Beneficial?

Metal scalpels are already used in industrial settings where their excessive sharpness is an unnecessary hazard. These tools are chosen to do delicate work, but if cutting skin isn’t the primary goal, there’s no reason to use an unsafe blade edge. Slice’s finger-friendly edge is available on all our ceramic safety cutters, but our scalpel handle is thinner than our closest tool, the Craft Cutter. The scalpel’s slim handle profile allows the user to get into tight spaces while the safer Slice edge reduces the risk of an accidental laceration.

All Slice blades also benefit from the inherent properties of 100 percent zirconium oxide. Specifically, they are non-magnetic, non-sparking and non-conductive, all of which are helpful in the electronics manufacturing industry. As well, they are chemically inert and never rust, so they won’t adversely affect the chemical composition of any material they touch.

Slice ceramic blades also save the user money, as they last 11 times longer than comparatively soft metal blades and don’t require a special sharps disposal box like metal blades do.

What Is a Scalpel Handle?

A scalpel handle is, of course, the handle of any scalpel. Slice offers two options for scalpel handles: a fixed-blade disposable scalpel or a replaceable-blade version. Both have the same slim handle profile, allowing the user to reach into tight spaces and maintain control of the tool.

The main difference is that the disposable version is intended for single use while the replaceable blade version will last through many blade changes. Because we make multiple blades that are compatible with both our scalpels and other precision knives, the replaceable blade version also offers versatility.

Should I Choose a Replaceable Blade or Disposable Ceramic Scalpel?

Your choice of scalpel blades and handles is dictated by how the instrument will be used. There are a few factors to consider:

Is sterilization required?

If so, what sterilization method is prefered?

What are your expectations for the tool’s lifespan or longevity?

For single-use, gamma sterilized scalpels, choose our disposable version. While it uses the same finger-friendly blade that lasts 11 times longer, it is intended for uses that require a fresh knife for each use: clean-room environments, for example.

If the blade is meant to be used for the long term, a replaceable blade model makes more sense. The blade itself can still be sterilized via autoclave, since zirconium oxide is safe up to 1600 degrees Celsius, and multiple blade styles are available through our website.

Who Uses Ceramic Scalpels?

Customers who use Slice precision knives include electronics manufacturers, automobile manufacturers, RC model makers, artists, sculptors, and lab technicians. Our scalpels are a new option that is especially useful for working in tight spaces and making detailed motions.

What Kind of Blades Are Available for the 10568 Replaceable Blade Scalpel?

The 10568 Replaceable Blade Scalpel is compatible with several Slice blades, including the: